Introduction to Voluntary Sustainability Standard Systems

Abstract

Private voluntary sustainability standard systems are an innovative market-based approach to promoting sustainable production and business practices. Adoption of these sustainability standards is intended to be voluntary: the standards are not created, run, or required by governments or government regulation. Instead, voluntary sustainability standard systems are non-government initiatives that seek to drive sustainable production and consumption by creating market demand for sustainable products, and a supply to meet that demand. They help buyers (both consumers and businesses) identify sustainably-produced products, and they guide producers, forest managers, mine and tourism operators, and factory owners and others in the choice of sustainable practices.

Annex 1. Principles for Credible and Effective Sustainability Standards Systems: The ISEAL Credibility Principles

The ultimate aim of sustainability standards systems is to bring about positive social, environmental and economic impacts while decreasing negative impacts. Impacts can be difficult to demonstrate, particularly in the short-term. Integrating these principles increases the likelihood that a standards system will achieve its intended positive impacts.

1.1 Sustainability

Standards scheme owners clearly define and communicate their sustainability objectives and approach to achieving them. They make decisions that best advance these objectives.

1.2 Improvement

Standards scheme owners seek to understand their impacts and measure and demonstrate progress towards their intended outcomes. They regularly integrate learning and encourage innovation to increase benefits to people and the environment.

1.3 Relevance

Standards are fit for purpose. They address the most significant sustainability impacts of a product, process, business or service; only include requirements that contribute to their objectives; reflect best scientific understanding and relevant international norms; and are adapted where necessary to local conditions.

1.4 Rigour

All components of a standards system are structured to deliver quality outcomes. In particular, standards are set at a performance level that results in measurable progress towards the scheme’s sustainability objectives, while assessments of compliance provide an accurate picture of whether an entity meets the standard’s requirements.

1.5 Engagement

Standard-setters engage a balanced and representative group of stakeholders in standards development. Standards systems provide meaningful and accessible opportunities to participate in governance, assurance and monitoring and evaluation. They empower stakeholders with fair mechanisms to resolve complaints.

1.6 Impartiality

Standards systems identify and mitigate conflicts of interest throughout their operations, particularly in the assurance process and in governance. Transparency, accessibility and balanced representation contribute to impartiality.

1.7 Transparency

Standards systems make relevant information freely available about the development and content of the standard, how the system is governed, who is evaluated and under what process, impact information and the various ways in which stakeholders can engage.

1.8 Accessibility

To reduce barriers to implementation, standards systems minimise costs and overly burdensome requirements. They facilitate access to information about meeting the standard, training, and financial resources to build capacity throughout supply chains and for actors within the standards system.

1.9 Truthfulness

Claims and communications made by actors within standards systems and by certified entities about the benefits or impacts that derive from the system or from the purchase or use of a certified product or service are verifiable, not misleading, and enable an informed choice.

1.10 Efficiency

Standards systems refer to or collaborate with other credible schemes to improve consistency and efficiency in standards content and operating practices. They improve their viability through the application of sound revenue models and organisational management strategies.